Fall Foliage in Tennessee

I know I've said it before but I'll say it again...I love Fall. Reed and I drove around our neighborhood snapping photos of the gorgeous trees. I love the rich, warm colors of the leaves as the cooler temperatures cause the leaves to turn. I've always told my art students that it's almost like God has a giant paint brush and reaches down from Heaven and paints the leaves such vibrant and beautiful colors for us to enjoy. If you've ever been one of my students, you've certainly heard me say it...haha.

A vibrant fall tree in our neighborhood. Simply gorgeous. Thank you Lord for color. Color makes me happy.

I love how the leaves form a "blanket" on the ground underneath the trees.

We live in and older neighborhood with beautiful southern homes rich with history and charm. I can't wait for the Christmas tour of homes since one of them is almost always on the tour.
This beautiful home is actually a Bed and Breakfast....I believe I read somewhere that it was an old farmhouse built around 1886.

The columns add such an elegance to this home. I can picture a group of young southern belles having afternoon tea out on the porch or front lawn. This home is just up the street from the bed and breakfast.
I captured this sunset on the way home from Union City just as I was getting back into the edge of Dyersburg. It was absolutely stunning to see in person. Once again, thank you Lord for the beauty that is all around us.
Stevie and Reed hanging out in the backyard playing horseshoes. The look on Reed's face is priceless.

I'm off to bed. We have to hit it bright and early in the morning for our bi-annual garage sale. I think we have more "Junk" this time than ever. They do say that one man's trash is another's treasure. Whatever you do, have a safe and blessed weekend!!

Get out and VOTE!

What a great day to be an American!! What a priviledge to be able to vote for the candidates of your choice and let your voice be heard. EVERY vote counts!

This video is so great...I've watched it 3 times already...ha. I snagged this from my friend Angie's blog. This is a song about voting by Ron Clark Academy kids from Atlanta, GA.




Get out today and vote for the candidate of your choice. It's our civic duty and our God given right. Let your voice be heard!

Trunk-R-Treat 2008 at The Gathering Place Church

To say we had a blast is an understatement!!! Trunk-R-Treat 2008 at TGP was great. This was our second year to host this event and we had people show up in record numbers. This year everyone chose their own trunk theme and we had everything from David and Goliath to Disney. Steve, Reed and I chose to rock it 80s style which was so much fun since it's from "our time." We got a #1 ribbon for "Best Walk Down Memory Lane." What a hoot.

The Martin's did High School Musical. Gail you look like such a teenager in this picture!!

Setting up for the event. Everyone was rushing around getting ready in anticipation of a huge crowd.

Amber and her Under the Big Top theme. She gave animal crackers as her treat. WAY COOL!

Oh my word! I was blown away by the creativity of this group. Their theme was "Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin" complete with Snoopy's dog house with Snoopy on top.

Kara and Sara did an awesome job on their paper mache Sally and Lucy heads. Love them!

Little Gabe was awesome as Charlie Brown. Ann is such a proud grandmother!!

Our pastors and their kiddos chose a Disney theme. We all know how they LOVE Disney World.

Zack and Josh rocked it with a Tailgate Party theme. Most of the guys hung out here and played their Madden football game all night.

Loved the Christmas theme.........Josiah was precious as a Christmas present. At one point I asked if I could take his picture and he threw his hands up in the air and said "Not right now, wait til I get my candy." Oh my word, I was practically rolling with laughter at this point. Too funny.

We did the 80s theme with Reed as Indiana Jones and Steve as a Rubicks Cube. There is also a little Indy in the background. Love that!

One of "my kiddos" who has moved from my class up to the teenage group...she is trying really hard to get out of the picture...ha.

My husband Steve's Rubicks Cube costume was a big hit. We had so much fun preparing for our theme.

Sweet little Ava as a ladybug..........she is just beautiful!!

The guys hanging out at the "Tailgate Party."

Eli and Greg as David and Goliath. Their "trunk" was awesome!!

My son Reed as Indiana Jones complete with his Dad's vintage leather "bomber jacket."

This little guy attends our church and when I asked him who he was dressed as he relplied "My Poppaw." He was so cute!!!

Loved Beaux's FrankenBaby costume......so adorable!!

Brooklyn and Leslie are simply beautiful as princesses from India. They were wearing real Sari's from India.

My friend Rita and I going back in time in our 80s gear.
Stevie and I 80s style...haha.

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

If you ever have the chance to host or attend one of these events, you won't be disappointed. They are a blast!!!

What are you voting for??

I just received this video in an email and felt compelled to share it on my blog. This video put out by http://www.catholicvote.com/ really makes you stop and think about the way you vote, why you vote and just "WHAT" you are voting for. I'm not Catholic but I believe this video reaches across any denominational lines religion has drawn. Please take a minute to watch this clip...

Happy Monday

Weekends go by entirely TOO fast! I'm enjoying my french vanilla coffee this morning to kickstart my day. Reed went back to school after being on Fall break for the last 16 days. Needless to say, it was a little difficult to get up and going this morning. It's back to business as I'm painting custom orders and getting ready for UT Alumni Beauty in the Arts gallery showing this week.


16x20 dimensional painting on gallery canvas- $50

I love this new dimensional art piece I've been working on for the gallery. I haven't titled this painting yet but I absolutely love the "fall" colors. I have a few more in the works between custom orders and will give you a sneak peek of those when completed. This painting is available at Penelope's gallery in downtown Union City or you can order a custom directly from me.

I also have a new "do" thanks to my good friend Michael O. of Reflections Salon. I wanted something a little funky going into this fall season. I love the red with the "pop" of drastic blonde atop a deeper brunette color. My husband loves it and enjoys playing the "count the colors in Sherri's hair" game...haha. It's amazing what a great cut and a little color will do for a girl's morale. I'm really having fun with this new look.

Until next time, enjoy your day and don't forget to "look for Jesus" in everyday situations. There are hurting people who need to know God's love and it's up to us to seek out opportunity to share HIM with others. Happy Monday!

Busy October

October has geared up to be quite a busy month. I've had the Arts and Crafts show and am now working on getting custom orders painted, shipped out and delivered. I've moved all of my work to Penelope's Art Gallery in downtown Union City. I spent a fun "girls" day with Penny and her Mom yesterday working on setting up my displays and preparing for UT Alumni's Beauty in the Arts next week. Reed has also been home on Fall Break and I've tried to spend some time with him as well as keep up with orders, housework, church practices, etc. Busy, Busy!

Artwork in my booth.....this piece has sold but I will do custom pieces with similar designs at your request.

Lots of Christmas designs in my Festival Booth at Reelfoot Lake last weekend. It was a blast!

Hot pink, black and white chandelier painting is now available for purchase at Penelope's in Union City.

An early morning customer checking out my booth before the show actually opened. My ornaments and silver trees were a HUGE hit.

This is a side view of my booth at the Arts & Crafts Festival. This is my favorite show of the entire year. It was great to see so many old friends and repeat customers as well as those first timers.

I love how this shirt turned out. This was hand painted for my pastor's son Evan who just welcomed a brand new baby sister along with his big sister Emma. They are in my class and are the sweetest kids...LOVE them.
This is a favorite new painting that SOLD quickly on the first day of the Art Festival. I will do customs on these with your colors and favorite scripture verses.
Personalized pumkin plates were a big seller last weekend. I love these and actually kept one for myself and it now sits on my living room mantle along with other fall decor.
Me and Penny of Penelope's Gallery having a blast getting ready for UT Alumni Night and Christmas Open House. I so LOVE Penny and her Mom Mrs. Shirley.
Penny and her Mom, Shirley
Tomorrow I'm taking Reed to a local Fall Festival and to the pumpkin patch as we wind down our Fall break. Monday it's back to business as school begins yet again for the next 9 week stretch. We are on an alternative school calendar in our school system...they go for 9 week stretches and then are out for 2 weeks. Anyway, I should have lots of new pics from the weekend's activities.

Have a blessed and safe weekend!!

Sarah Rocks!

Sarah Palin is so spot on! Go Sarah!!

Reelfoot Arts & Crafts Festival

It's that time of the year again!! It's time for Reelfoot Lake Arts & Crafts Festival. It's my most favorite show of the entire year. I love it!!! The atmosphere, the people, the scenic view of the lake and visiting with old friends makes this show the best. Today was set up day.....which is my least favorite but it usually involves a lot of laughter and a stumped toe or two...haha. A huge thanks to my parents who so graciously assisted me in setting up. We are all set up and ready to open shop at 9 am tomorrow morning. We are in booth D 209 right across from Boyette's Restaurant so stop by and say Hello.

Beautiful Reelfoot Lake! Truly a West Tennessee treasure. Also known as Earthquake Lake as it was formed in the 1800's by a major earthquake that actually caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards. It's quite comforting to live on the New Madrid Fault Line....not!

Above: Handmade scarecrows displayed in a vendor's booth last at last years festival

Customers shopping my booth at last years Arts & Crafts Festival. It is set up and looks completely different this year by the way.

Above: Displays in my booth in 2007

My beautiful niece Avery helping me out in my booth at Art in the Park last Saturday.